Water Quality and Horticulture Production in NJ

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• Water Quality and Horticulture Production in NJ
• Christopher Obropta, Ph.D., P.E.
• www.water.rutgers.edu
• obropta_at_envsci.rutgers.edu
• April 4, 2005

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Water Quality Problems in NJ

• 2,187 river miles (76 of those assessed) did not
  meet the surface water quality standards for at
  least one parameter
• 1,793 river miles (74 of those assessed) were
  not fully attaining and meeting the standards for
  recreational activity
• 2,580 river miles assessed for aquatic life
  designated uses, 877 miles (34) did not support
  the use
• Primary cause of these problems is
• nonpoint source pollution.

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What is stormwater runoff?
Stormwater runoff is the water from rain or
melting snows that flows over the ground surface,
returning to lakes, streams, and ocean.
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Meteorological Factors Affecting Runoff

• Type of precipitation (e.g., rain, snow, sleet,
  etc.)
• Rainfall intensity
• Rainfall amount
• Rainfall duration
• Distribution of rainfall over the drainage basin
• Direction of storm movement
• Proceeding precipitation and soil moisture
• Temperature, wind, relative humidity (i.e.,
  factors that affect evapotranspiration)

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Physical CharacteristicsAffecting Runoff

• Slope
• Topography
• Direction of orientation
• Drainage network patterns
• Presence of ponds, lakes, reservoirs, etc.

• Land use
• Vegetation
• Soil type
• Drainage area
• Basin shape
• Elevation

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The Impact of Development on Stormwater Runoff
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Point vs. Nonpoint

• Point Source Pollution
• vs.
• Nonpoint Source Pollution
• Whats the difference?

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Point Source Pollution

• comes from a specific source, like a pipe
• factories, industry, municipal treatment plants
• can be monitored and controlled by a permit system

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What is nonpoint source pollution?

• Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution is pollution
  associated with stormwater runoff
• NPS pollution cannot be traced to a direct
  discharge point such as a wastewater treatment
  facility

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Examples of NPS

• oil grease from cars
• fertilizers from farms and lawns
• animal waste (dogs, geese, cows, horses)

• eroded soil (sediment)
• sewage cleaners from boats
• household cleaning products
• litter
• grass clippings
• septic systems

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Regulations?!

• Federal Clean Water Act (regulates point sources)
  
• NJ Pollution Discharge Elimination System
  (NJPDES) Permitting Rules
• NJ Stormwater Permitting Rules
• Concentrated Animal Feed Operations (CAFOs),
  Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s),
  Industry, Composting Facilities
• NJ Stormwater Management Rules
• Local ordinances such as impervious cover limits
• Soil erosion and sediment control requirements

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Clean Water Act
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What is a TMDL?

• What is a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)?
• A TMDL is a quantitative assessment of water
  quality problems, contributing sources, and load
  reductions or control actions needed to restore
  and protect individual water bodies.
• What is the Process?
• Identify Quality Limited Waters
• Establish Priority Waters/Watersheds
• Develop TMDLs
• Implement the water quality improvement for each
  segment
• Assess water quality improvement for each segment

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TMDL Components

• Problem statement
• Numeric target(s)
• Source analysis
• Loading capacity estimate
• Allocations of the available loads to sources
• Implementation elements

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TMDL Equation
690 kg/yr 0 460 230
TMDL WLA LA MOS
(total max. daily load)
(point source waste load allocation)
(nonpoint load allocation)
(margin of safety)
State water quality standard for the pollutant
given the streams designated beneficial use
TMDL development phase
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Nonpoint Loads for Different Land Uses
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NPS Sources of Phosphorus Loads
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TMDL Allocations
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NJs TMDLs

• Fecal Coliform
• 2,226 square miles of watersheds
• 363 square miles of agricultural land use
• Average require reductions 87
• Total Phosphorus
• 288 square miles of watersheds
• 75 square miles of agricultural land use
• Up to 94 reductions are required

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Research and Extension

• TMDL Advisory Panel to NJDEP
• Regional and Municipal Stormwater Management
  Plans
• Animal Waste Management for Small Farms
• Impact of Impervious Cover Connected vs.
  Disconnected
• Improve Nonpoint Source Loading Coefficients for
  NJ
• Evaluate effectiveness of best management
  practices (BMPs)
• Stormwater management programs for Homeowners

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Connected Impervious
Total drainage area 3 acres
1 acre directly connected impervious cover CN
98
2 acres pervious cover CN 65
Runoff Direction
For 1.25 inch storm, 3,811 cubic feet of runoff
28,500 gallons.
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Disconnected Impervious
Total drainage area 3 acres
1 acre directly connected impervious cover CN
98
2 acres pervious cover
Runoff
Runoff
For 1.25 inch storm, 581 cubic feet of runoff
4,360 gallons.
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Current Partners

• County Extension Offices
• NJ Dept. of Agriculture
• NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection
• US Environmental Protection Agency
• Other Universities Cornell, UPR, UVI, NJIT,
  Rowan, Stevens Institute
• Watershed Associations and other NGOs
• NJ Farm Bureau
• NRCS, North Jersey RCD, Local Soil Conservation
  Districts
• Counties and municipalities
• EcoComplex

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Program Goals

• To help the agricultural community to remain
  viable in NJ
• Educating them on the water resources issues
• Helping them identify their contribution
• Developing cost effective solutions
• Helping them implement these solutions
• Measuring the impact of their efforts
• Helping other stakeholders better under
  agriculture
• To protect and restore the waters of the NJ

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For More Information

• Chris Obropta, Ph.D., P.E., Rutgers Water
  Resources
• Extension Specialist for the State of NJ
• obropta_at_envsci.rutgers.edu
• 732-932-4917
• www.water.rutgers.edu